Publicity campaigne for dignity of life in Hungary

Katalin Muszbek MD

Hungarian Hospice Foundation

Campaigne for dignity of life 2007 - 2009

1. Fields of hope project

2. Internet campaigne

Campaigne for dignity of life

1. Fields of hope project

Aims

- to teach children on death and dying, and on solidarity

- to drow public attention on dignity of life

- to raise money for hospice activies

Method

In 2007 Hungarian Hospice Foundation and a group of volunteers started with a new project.

2 cities (Budapest, Debrecen) 5-5 schools 50 teachers 800 children

Elements of the Fields of Hope project

1. Daffodil planting

2. Teaching teachers

3. School programs

4. Media campaigne

1. Daffodil planting

Daffodil bulbs were planted on the main squares of the two cities, flowers created the word HOSPICE.

2. Teaching teachers

AIM –TO MANAGE LOSSES AT SCHOOL

MAIN TOPICS: illness and loss in the family; the impact of loss in different ages of the child

METHODS Lectures Regular case discussions „Training days” – role plays Face to face consultations on optional issues

brought by teachers

Training of Teachers

3. School programs

discussions with children with their own teachers, reviving their creativity, and sharing personal experiences in themes like life circle, loss in the family, help someone, etc.

individual school programs in connection with the topics: novel-writing, drawing and poetry recital competition, flower arrangement contest of daffodil, the symbol of the project, quiz for grandparents and grandchildren, making family tree together

3. School programs

„Daffodil running festival”Orgaized in one city,

8 schools, 1000 students,

handicaped – and blined children also invited

big media participation

4.Elements of successful campaigne

Prominant patrons…

First ladies of Hungary and Poland

Diplomat’s spouses…

Famous artists…

Famous artists…

Decision makers…

Like politicians, mayors, university rector,

representatives of churches, etc

Donation as a success…

Teachers and bishop of one city raised 3000 USD

RESULTS – extended program

Participants in 2008:

> 8 cities > 23 schools >100 teachers> 2000 students> 50 media presentations

Campaigne for dignity of life 2.

2. Internet campaigne

Background and aims

Quality end of life care is available only at a few health care services in Hungary.

Aims: via internet campaign to raise awereness on quality end of life care

- to draw attention to the importance of quality of life during cancer.

- to raise found for activities

Method

Four home made video spots were prepared, based on the personal confessions of

a student – participated in the Field of Hope projecttwo well-known artists, PC doctor

They testify their motivation to support cancer patients and hospice movement.

Method

The films have been marketed with the help of the internet, social networking websites like iwiw, Facebook and free video sharing websites like Youtube, indavideo, videa

ResultsDuring the first month campaign almost 40 000 people watched the films

several websites, national weekly papers (Best – 300 thousand

issues), the biggest Hungarian commercial TV channel's

(RTLKlub) morning program reported about the campaign

.

Conclusion

- Home made video is free of charge, preparation has a very low cost

- well-known people are a great help in dissolving the taboos around cancer and the acceptance of a complex treatment.

- Through the participation of the artists, more attention is paid to the illness which may alleviate fears concerning death and suffering.

Thank you for your attention